Surrey firefighters are keeping the flame of a successful fundraiser lit, with a return next month of their Ignite a Dream event to Semiahmoo Shopping Centre.
Launched last year as a means of generating funds to provide educational awards to Surrey students who may otherwise miss out on post-secondary opportunities, the wine, craft-beer and culinary tasting affair is set for 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Last year, nearly 300 attendees were able to sample the offerings of about 20 restaurants and more than 50 vintners.
“We were very happy, we got a great response… really positive feedback from everyone who attended,” said Kevin Coplin, an organizer with Surrey Fire Firefighters’ Charitable Society.
Funds raised – about $20,000 – translated into $3,000 awards presented last May to five secondary students, including Semiahmoo Secondary’s Leeza Robertson.
Robertson said at the time that the funds would help her pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
“I am paying for it all myself, so to have $3,000 towards my education is so reassuring,” she told Peace Arch News.
Coplin, who has been a firefighter for nine years, said the society’s goal is to continue presenting the awards to at least five students annually, and hopefully raise enough to bump up the value.
“That was kind of the vision behind it,” he said. “It’s tough for a lot of the kids who are wanting to do post-secondary education and getting $500 here, or $1,000 there.
“We wanted to have something more substantial.”
Coplin said the target recipients are students who “maybe fall through the cracks that are still very positive contributors to the community… still have big dreams that they want to pursue.”
“Hopefully in the future, they’re going to come back as professionals and help out themselves.”
Tickets to Ignite a Dream are on sale now, $60 each or two for $100, and are available both online at www.surreyfirefighters.com/ignite and at the customer service desk in Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, 1701 152 St.